Description: This article discusses the Financial Condition Examination Handbook and the Market Conduct Examination Handbook, both of which became effective January 1, 1977 after approval by the Executive Committee of the NAIC. The purpose of this new guidance is to update and simplify the examination process for all insurance companies.

Description: A review of the Flesch formula for measuring the readability of insurance policies

Description: This article consists of excerpts from the author’s presidential address to the Southeastern Actuaries’ Club on November 21, 1980. The author notes ‘the only thing we could all possibly agree on today about the economic situation is that the degree of uncertainty is high,’ and ‘it is this uncertainty that presents us actuaries with professional problems which cannot be addressed by traditional methods.’ In explaining how we can deal with inflation and uncertainty the author argues for repeal of both the Standard Valuation Law and the Standard Nonforfeiture Law.

Description: This is the first of two articles discussing the model laws governing minimum reserves and non-forfeiture values that the NAIC adopted in December 1980. The author, Chairman of the NAIC Technical Task Force on Valuation and Nonforfeiture Value Regulation, in this first article describes the objectives of the revision, which include updating assumptions, increasing flexibility, and improving the ability to deal with new types of products, the cooperative effort entailed, the actuary’s role and responsibilities in doing business under the new law, and the financial impact.

Description: Recently completed research studies from the Society of Actuaries.

Description: A regulator's perspective on the changing insurance and financial services industry, including changes in the state regulatory environment driven by the regulators themselves, as well as potential changes in the competitive environment prompted by the Financial Services Modernization Act.

Description: The Actuary Vol. 22, No. 11. This is a debate regarding two approaches to Life Insurance Illustrations: The Range approach vs. the Current Scale approach

Description: This article is an abstract of notes from a June 1983 meeting of the New York Actuaries Club which discussed the perceived disadvantages suffered by the mutual form of life insurance company organization.

Description: In Canada, the actuarial considerations involved in developing financial reporting and disclosure principles have for some years been under active study by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries CIA and others, with a goal of moving toward one system of financial reporting for all users. The author discusses current proposals starting with a 1974 report released by the CIA, and the work of an Advisory Committee with members from the actuarial and accounting professions, industry, and Provincial Insurance Departments, appointed by the Federal Superintendent of Insurance, which completed its work in the form of a written report.

Description: This article on recent developments in insurance regulation, is a discussion of the new Model Nonforfeiture and Valuation Laws the continuation of an article from the November, 1981 issue of The Actuary, and to be continued in next month’s issue. It covers topics including mortality assumptions and the new 1980 CSO Mortality Tables, maximum valuation interest rates, and maximum nonforfeiture interest rates.